Water-Washed Kaolin
Water-washed kaolin is beneficiated by washing with water to remove sand and improve brightness for various applications. Washing is explicitly permitted under chapter note 1 as a physical process that does not alter the clay's structure, so it remains classifiable under tariff item 2507.00.00.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
| Origin Country | MFN Tariff | Surtaxes | Total Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳China | Free | — | Free |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Free | — | Free |
| 🇺🇸United States | Free | — | Free |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Free | — | Free |
| 🇯🇵Japan | Free | — | Free |
More Specific Codes
This product may fall under a more specific subheading:
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If the clay is bentonite
Bentonite is a distinct clay type under heading 25.08, not kaolin.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right tariff item — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Document the washing process and confirm no chemical additives (e.g
• bleaching agents) are used
• If the kaolin is dispersed in water, note that the statistical unit of measure excludes water weight for this tariff item
Related Products under Tariff item 2507.00.00
Air-Floated Kaolin
Air-floated kaolin is a naturally occurring clay processed by physical air separation to remove coarse particles, leaving a fine powder used in paints and rubber. This mechanical treatment does not alter the mineral's chemical structure, so it remains classifiable as kaolin under tariff item 2507.00.00.
Ball Clay (Kaolinic)
Ball clay is a highly plastic, kaolinitic sedimentary clay used in sanitaryware and tableware. Despite its higher plasticity and organic content compared to pure kaolin, it qualifies as 'other kaolinic clays' under tariff item 2507.00.00 because it is not excluded by chapter notes and remains a natural clay.
Calcined Kaolin Powder
Calcined kaolin powder is produced by heating natural kaolin to drive off water and alter its crystalline structure, a process explicitly allowed by the tariff text. It is used as a filler in paper to enhance brightness and opacity, and remains within tariff item 2507.00.00 as calcined kaolin.
English China Clay (Kaolin)
English china clay, also known as kaolin, is a high-purity, naturally occurring clay prized for its whiteness in bone china production. As the archetypal kaolin, it falls directly under tariff item 2507.00.00, which covers kaolin whether or not calcined.
Hydrous Kaolin Clay
Hydrous kaolin clay is natural, uncalcined kaolin that has been mined and minimally processed, such as drying or grinding, for use in ceramics and refractories. The tariff item explicitly covers kaolin 'whether or not calcined,' so the uncalcined form is included as long as processing stays within chapter note 1 limits.
Kaolin Calcined for Paint Extender
Calcined kaolin used as a paint extender is produced by heating kaolin to modify its particle structure, providing matting and opacity in architectural paints. This thermal treatment is expressly permitted by tariff item 2507.00.00, which covers calcined kaolin, and does not constitute a chemical change.